Lewis Baker - The First Up?

A cursory look at the result of our last site poll and the career trajectory of Lewis Baker, one of the plethora of prodigies making Chelsea Football Club proud, suggests that the 19-year-old is a sure bet to make the long-awaited transition from the academy to the first team.

The England Under-19 international unlike most emerging youth prospects isn't all hype; in fact, it is ridiculously surprising there's little to no hype at all about him despite boasting an amazing record of 9 goals in 14 England appearances to his name!

Quite a talented central midfielder and a joy to watch, in possession and off the ball, with impressive numbers also at club football, he was instrumental to our FA Youth Cup win last year, and scored the winner in the Premier League Under-21 final against Manchester United last term.

Fondly referred to as the 'New Frank Lampard' for similarity in playing style to the Chelsea legend's and a developing monster at set-piece delivery, Baker scored a total of 17 goals for the youth teams last season from central midfield whilst providing 8 assists; and in keeping up with his classy promise he has so far already racked up 3 assists(2 for John Terry and the other for Mo' Salah) in just 2 preseason games with the first team, a feat that has left the Captain, Leader, Legend raving about his quality.

An obviously impressed Terry whilst commenting on his brace after the 3-2 win at AFC Wimbledon gushed to the club's official website:

"He [Baker] puts a great ball in, it was a great delivery, and I said to him if he hits it at the first post I will be get there, and thankfully I did get there and we won the game."

Ladies and Gentlemen, please do not fail to note the verb "puts" in the above quote which, as my American mate would say, is a helluva vital recommendation! Don't you think?

Comments

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Lewis is a top young player, this guy has everything to become a top class midfielder. I'm praying and hoping that he's not eventually wasted like many of our young talents. I find it really annoying when people suggest we should spend insane amounts on Pogba, Draxler, etc.. when we have a talented player like Baker. All this guy need is support, confidence, game time and I can assure he will do really well.

Lewis ,along with Boga,Ake,RLC and Isaiah (his original name before he came here,not Izzy ) Brown are my favourtite young players in our youth teams. Also Musonda,Swift,Christensen and Traore are ones I like too. But Lewis kind of tops the whole bunch,even ahead of Ake and Piazon. He has been a leader and captain,alongside Ake or Swift in the youth teams and he's got that completeness about his game more than any player so young that I've ever seen. Sometimes when I see him play,I wonder if he's really 16 or 17(he just clocked 17 a while ago). But I think the resemblance in playing style to Lampard is a bit exagerated. Though,I understand that any good young midfileder in our ranks who scores goals would inevitably be likened to the legend i think the best player that closely resembles Lamps in style among our youth ranks is Swift and not Baker. Baker is more like Kroos,in that he's a complete midfielder,able to play AM,CM,DM,he's not flashy,but his passing accuracy is very good and his setpiece ability is wonderful. He's got excellent vision and is two-footed.If Chelsea can tap into this bright,sparkling set of youngetsers I tell you our future is bright

With Jose Mourinho stating that 3/4 U21 plers will be intergrated in to the 1st squad then I would assume that Lewis Baker is one of those boys. Watching pre season so far and a load of youth football last season Baker,Boga,Christiansen,Brown could all come up and have some game time this season. I personally would like to see at least one of the U21 players on the bench for most games this season.

U know wat I think? This is my opinion: Jose Mourinho is desperate for success, he wants to win a trophy this coming season so bad. That's why he's gone for not just ready-made players but experienced ones and proven winners with strong winning mentality. Experiment with youth players will be very minimal I'm sure abt that.
Let's not raise our hopes abt baker or any others.. They might not play upto 5games in the PL put together. But then again I want that ruthlessness in our squad this season.
Let's win a trophy first, baker still has time to grow. He's just 17, let's not rush him at all.

It depends what Jose determines as u21 players, personally I think Baker, Chalobah, Ake and I'm hoping McEachren will be given a chance, with the right coaching he could very well become our very own Modric. Izzy Brown, Musonda, Boga etc are too young in my opinion. Any one of the four mentioned could be part of a 3 man midfield in lesser games alongside Matic and Fabregas, then drop Oscar in there for more important games. It's time we trust our youth.

The problem is someone has stated, there is a lot of pressure on Jose he needs to produce this season. The same people who will hate on him not starting some youngsters this season will also condemn him if he doesn't win anything this season. That is the reason for the buys. With all that said I hope youth is integrated.